When I started blogging here about 18+ months ago, I really didn’t have any intention of staying very long. I wasn’t one to blog, and really didn’t think I had anything to share. In reading the posts that others were writing, I found myself staying a little longer and maybe see what it was like. I remember thinking, I’m not a real estate agent, a writer, and didn’t know the benefits of blogging.

ActiveRain is a safe place to learn about blogging.

I am grateful for a network of people who will actively help the newcomer. Maybe something as simple as a comment, a suggestion or advice, this was a breath of fresh air for me as a newcomer. I found that by following suggestions and doing what those that were succeeding were doing; posting regularly, leaving comments and stepping outside my box a bit.

What are you willing to do to succeed here?

I am grateful for an environment that offers growth. In the beginning points were everything, if I were willing to do something that seemed difficult at first; I was able to grow a little bit. I remember the May 30 Day Challenge, blogging every day for 30 days was impossible – until I did it. Since I was blogging daily, I started commenting regularly too. I read a lot of posts, which introduced me to many different styles of writing.

It’s not about the points!

Baloney! In the beginning it was ALL about the points, that was the carrot that pushed me to continue. Moving up in points and rank was a daily watch for me; it didn’t matter that I was passing members who were inactive. J I am grateful for the point system, it has kept me as a blogger long enough to allow me to learn so much. Reading blog posts, webinars, challenges and all the other “gifts” of membership has been a priceless education.

One Day My Thinking Changed

I remember those that had a ton of points saying that the points were not important. The day came when I could finally see that it is not about the points. (Don’t get me wrong I will still be earning more points.) It’s really about getting business as a result of blogging. I feel grateful to be involved with blogging here, armed with a growing knowledge base with a medium in which gets results. There is no greater feeling than getting a call from a reader of my blog needing help with dry rot, water damage or a construction project. That’s what it is about for me today.

What? There’s More? There is so much more that I am grateful for here at ActiveRain.

I had written a milestone post in the past in which I listed many of the members here. Shortly after posting, I thought of so many more that I had left out although they helped me also. There’s too many inspirational, knowledgeable, caring members here; I told myself that I wasn’t going to list any this time by name because I will surely forget.

I am grateful for:

Those that blog regularly with quality posts.

The men and women who teach me how to use photos and videos more creatively.

My subscribers.

Those that I subscribe to.

The SEO experts who share their knowledge freely.

A caring and helpful staff.

The MeetUps that bring life to my computer screen.

The variety of styles in blogging.

People who I see on other social networks.

The newcomer who reminds me what it was like getting started, and how I can help them like I was helped.

Thank you Active Rain for getting me started on a wonderful journey that has returned far more than I had expected to receive.

Tom - late to the party as usual and even though you've gotten 113 comments, I had to stop by and congratulate you on such a huge achievement and at lightening speed! Thanks for sharing your AR journey - you're an inspiration to the rest of us and I need to blog more often like I used to.

Tom, congratulations on a milestone. More importantly, congratulations on knowing the true meaning of ActiveRain - knowledge, friendships, busy referrals - heck so much - almost all positive. WTG and here's to the next 500,000.

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